Russia Takes a Big Leap Toward Technological Independence with Successful Development of Hydraulic Fracturing Fleet

Russia has made a significant stride towards achieving technological independence with the successful development of its first hydraulic fracturing fleet. This project, which has been in the works for almost a decade, has recently completed testing and is now ready to begin commercial operations in 2025. Faced with uncertainty in its long-term production outlook due to sanctions from Western countries, Russia’s domestic fracking capacity will play a crucial role in unlocking its hard-to-recover reserves in the years to come.

The fleet, composed of 12 fracking units, was developed by the Moscow Institute of Thermal Technology (Mitt) in collaboration with Gazprom Neft, a major oil producer, as part of Russia’s strategy to reduce dependency on imports. These units have undergone successful testing at various fields owned by Gazprom Neft in West Siberia, the heart of Russia’s oil production. The tests have shown that the fleet meets industry standards, and Mitt has obtained all the necessary approvals to begin commercial manufacturing operations in 2025.

Looking ahead, Mitt plans to potentially produce up to four more fleets by 2026, with Gazprom Neft set to be the first customer. This development not only strengthens Russia’s technological sovereignty but also paves the way for increased production of its reserves that were previously difficult to access. The successful implementation of this fracking fleet signifies a significant step forward for Russia in achieving self-sufficiency in the energy sector.